Fossil Activities for Kids

Kids can become fossil finders by searching for fossils in the making. Best of all, they can look right in their own back yards.

What You'll Need:

Small garden shovel

Work gloves

Old toothbrush

How to Become a Fossil Finder:

Step 1: Make sure to give kids permission before they dig in any part of a landscaped yard. When they start digging, make sure they do so carefully with a small work shovel and gloves.

Step 2: Leaves or dead bugs will be embedded in the soil. When kids find one, they can use an old toothbrush to carefully remove excess dirt from the "fossil."

Step 3: See if it's possible to gently remove the bug or plant. Is there an impression left where the bug once was? Now imagine -- left undisturbed, that very bug might have been transformed into a fossil millions of years into the future. See how the future is connected to the past?